Editorial: Reminding a child that parent in prison still cares

In its zeal to punish those who have done wrong, society often forgets there are other people who are hurt as well — the children who lose a parent to jail.

In its zeal to punish those who have done wrong, society often forgets there are other people who are hurt as well — the children who lose a parent to jail.

A program at Bristol County House of Correction helps remind children that their parent still cares.

Since 2001, more than 200 inmates have participated in a program that allows them 90 minutes a week to design and create pillowcases to send to their children. The inmates draw pictures of hearts, puppies and cartoon characters on a white pillow case, often including messages of love or regret for being temporarily absent from their lives. A pillowcase is used as a canvas so a child can be reminded of his parent before he falls asleep and just as he wakes up.

"I’m sending a message to let him know that even though I haven’t been there, I haven’t forgot about him," said inmate David Costa, who will be spending his third consecutive Christmas away from his 3-year-old son, Joshua.

As inmate Keith Godfrey said, the pillowcases allow the inmates to give something unique and special to their children for the holidays. Perhaps the gift will ease the sting of not having Daddy there to hand out the presents from under the tree. While Godfrey won’t be there, "They’re going to know I made this," he said. "This is the best thing I’ve ever done."

A connection like that can make all the difference to a child who is undeservedly punished for his or her parent’s sins, especially for a young child experiencing his or her first Christmas without a parent.

But the program can have other results as well. While the children are the program’s primary beneficiaries, the inmates themselves and society at large can benefit. The project can be part of prisoners rehabilitation, serving as a reminder of the people they have hurt. The apologies and messages of regret often etched in the artworks serve as evidence that the program at least gets them thinking about the consequences of their actions. Since the vast majority of inmates will one day be set free, it serves everyone well if they are reminded of those consequences, which may help prevent them from repeating their crimes.

At the very least, the pillowcases are a personal gift from a parent, helping brighten a child’s holiday.